January 17, 2023 - Salem and Back Home

 

Title: January 17, 2023 - Salem and Back Home
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Walk

Trail head: Andrea’s House

Trail: Mission St, Church St, State St

Destination: Bush Pasture Park and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Distance:  3.30 miles

Start Time:  11:44

End Time:     1:53

Travel Time:  2:09 (1.54 mph)

Moving Time:  1:36  (2.06 mph)

Elevation Rise:  393'

Descent: 298‘

Maximum Elevation: 158'

Description:

I woke up when Andrea got ready for work, but I stayed pretty snuggled in bed. Then when Lawrence got ready for work, once again I was cognizant of the activity. It was only after he left did I wiggle out of the bed and had my breakfast. To top off my meal, I had some of Andrea’s tasty homemade bread. Then I waited for Sherri and Steven to get up.

Deepwood

It was a slow morning. But neither did it need to be one of frantic activity. Still, we are a slow moving bunch. Eventually we decided to go for a walk to Bush Pasture Park and then to the Hallie Ford Art Museum.The latter has free entry on Tuesdays, and guess what? Today is Tuesday.

 

 

 

Honors pioneer children

We begin our walk by going down Mission St. There is an overpass with the railroad tracks under it. Little did we know that this was a demarcation of sorts. As we go over it, the area becomes more trash ridden. There are a few tents on the wide walkway. We also see a tent village beneath us. I feel a bit uncomfortable, but there was not really any contact to feel this way. A pathway leads us under Mission and to the south side.

Once we leave that particular section, we cross 12th St. Immediately we come across the Deepwood Mansion, now a museum. I think technically it is outside of the park, just adjacent to it. It is on my bucket list for Salem and now I can see it should not just be a checkmark.

Steven and Sherri in Bush Park

A short way further is an entrance to the Bush Pasture Park. Seems like a strange name for a park. Evidently this was the Bush family’s land which they used for, you guessed it, pasturing livestock. At the northeast end of the park is their house. But the part we are initially walking around is some of the playing fields for Willamette University. Looks like there is at least a football field, a field and track area and a baseball diamond. Looks pretty clean and well kept up.

 

One of the umbrella trees

We continue on to the center of the park after going over a large berm. Very pleasant area. Our path continues to the north and east to the Bush House. The hot house is closed, even though there is a sign which says it is open. But we wander around the area, admiring the trees. Salem seems to have an affinity for pruning their trees into shapes, particularly like umbrellas. They are pleasant to look at.

We cross Mission St again and head down Church St. Salem, for the most part, presents itself as being a clean city. There is a playground with new equipment, children enjoying themselves. Then we pass by Pringle Park, where there is a sense of wholeness to it, even if it is pretty small, some of the cement work looks old. When we get to State St, we take a right and go a block to the Hallie.

Hallie Ford Art Museum is part of Willamette University. Today is a free day, so we just say where we are from and go in. I am getting a bit tired as it is after 1pm. The general exhibit is on the first floor. We spent about 45 minutes there. I am getting more and more convinced that for the most part, artwork after 1900 is not what I appreciate. But that is just me and my sense of taste. Too much abstraction and not enough to touch my soul.

I am also getting hungry, so we leave and walk back to Andrea and Lawrence’s place where we have lunch. On the way in, a train passes us, which gets me excited. Then we spend the rest of the afternoon packing up, getting ready to leave and resting. Andrea came home a little after 4pm. Shortly afterwards, we left for Portland and the airport. A bit of traffic, but not bad. We waved goodbye to Lawrence as we saw him a few streets over. Andrea only has time to drop us off for us to eat and catch the flight. Steve found Andrea’s restaurant, Mo’s, and ordered from there. The flight back to Fresno is direct and with no real issues. We get in a little after 9pm. Peter picks us up and drops us off. I think the three of us are happy to be back in our own beds.

Extra Photo's

Special tree

Steven and Gary by the Bush House

Bush House